Equipment with movable hole plugs

ABSTRACT

A bowling ball, including a spherical body defining an outer surface and at least one hole sized to receive a finger; and a depressible platform disposed within the at least one hole, where the platform is movable from a first position substantially adjacent to the outer surface to a second position subjacent to the outer surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

N/A

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to sports or gaming equipment, and in particular, towards balls or projectiles having finger holes or depressions therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a bowling ball, including a spherical body defining an outer surface and at least one hole sized to receive a finger; and a depressible platform disposed within the at least one hole, where the platform is movable from a first position substantially adjacent to the outer surface to a second position subjacent to the outer surface. When the platform is in the first position, the spherical body may have a substantially continuous outer surface. The bowling ball may include a biasing element coupled to the platform, where biasing element may pre-dispose the platform towards the first position. The biasing element may include a spring, may be at least partially constructed from a resilient polymer, and/or may be at least partially constructed from a shape-memory alloy. The bowling ball may include a stopping element that limits a range of movement of the platform, and the stopping element may include at least one of a protrusion, a lip, and a flange that abuts the platform.

A ball is provided, including a body defining a hole therein, a plug movably positioned in the hole, wherein the plug is movable from a first position substantially closing the hole to a second position allowing access to the hole; and a resilient element coupled to the plug to bias the plug towards the first position. The body may be substantially spherical and/or may include a bowling ball. The hole may be sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of a person's finger. The body may define a plurality of holes, and the ball may include a plurality of plugs, each of the plurality of plugs being movably positioned in each of the plurality of holes, where each plug is movable from a first position substantially closing the respective hole to a second position allowing access to the respective hole. The ball may include a plurality of resilient elements, where each resilient element is coupled to one of the plurality of plugs to bias the respective plug towards the first position.

A method of using a ball having one or more finger holes therein is disclosed, including engaging at least one of the finger holes by depressing a platform disposed within the finger hole, and disengaging the at least one finger hole, wherein disengagement results in movement of the platform. The method may include rolling the ball towards a plurality of bowling pins and/or throwing a ball in the air towards a desired target. Movement of the platform may include the platform moving into a position proximate to an exterior surface of the ball and/or moving into a position that substantially seals the finger hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A more complete understanding of the present invention, and the attendant advantages and features thereof, will be more readily understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an example of a ball constructed in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the ball of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is another cross-sectional view of a portion of the ball of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides improved sporting equipment and methods of use thereof. An exemplary embodiment of such improved equipment includes a ball, such as a bowling ball, that provides improved surface continuity for improved performance and use. Now referring to the figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout, a ball is shown defining a body 10. The body 10 may be substantially rounded, spherical, oblong, or may alternatively take on other shapes designated or preferred for a particular sporting event or game. For example, the ball may be a football, basketball, baseball, or puck. The body 10 may be substantially solid or may include one or more compartments or components therein that are finable, inflatable, or the like to provide an overall desired weight, density, or other physical characteristic. The body 10 may be constructed from a resin, polymer, animal hide, or composites or combinations thereof

The ball body 10 may define one or more holes 12 therein to facilitate grasping the ball body. For example, the ball body may include a plurality of holes extending from its outer surface 14 inward that are sized and/or shaped to receive or be engaged by a person's finger. The holes may include a cylindrical or rounded shape or profile, or may be formed to contour to or accommodate a particular finger or hand position when grasping the ball.

The ball may include one or more plugs or platforms 16 movably positioned within the holes 12 of the ball body 10. The plugs or platforms 16 may be depressed or moved to allow entry or access into each hole 12, and may further shift into another position that seals off or closes access to the holes 12 when fingers are removed from the holes or disengaged from the ball. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the plug 16 may be positionable in a first position where an upper surface of the plug 16 is substantially adjacent to or coincident with the outer surface of the ball body 10. When in this first position, the plug 16 contributes to a substantially continuous outer surface of the ball body, which can improve rolling, throwing, or other movement or aerodynamic characteristics as compared to a ball with exposed cavities or holes therein presenting an uneven, incomplete outer surface. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the plug(s) 16 are depressible inward to a second position subjacent to or beneath the outer surface 14 of the ball body 10 to allow a person to insert at least a portion of their fingers into the holes to grasp the ball body for use.

The ball may include one or more biasing and/or resilient elements 18 coupled to each plug 16 to bias or otherwise render the plug 16 pre-disposed towards a selected position. The biasing element 18 may include, for example, a spring, an elastic band, a dampener, or other component that exerts a force on the plug 16 to move it (e.g., by pushing, pulling or otherwise imparting motion) towards the selected predisposed position, such as the first position described above. The biasing element 18 may be at least partially constructed from a resilient polymer, and/or may be at least partially constructed from a shape-memory alloy.

The ball may include a stopping element or feature 20 that limits a range of movement of the plug 16 within the hole 12 and/or counteracts a force exerted by the biasing element 18 to prevent over travel of the plug 16. For example, the stopping element 20 may include at least one of a protrusion, a lip, or a flange that abuts the plug 16 at a threshold position of the plug 16 where further movement is undesired. The stopping element 20 may, for example, circumscribe an upper circumference of the hole 12 in proximity to the outer surface 14 of the ball body 10. Alternatively, the stopping element 20 may be coupled to or otherwise be a portion of the plug 16 that abuts a portion of the hole or other part of the ball body to limit the range of motion of the plug 16. The stopping element 20 may be movably adjustable to select a desired range of motion for a particular ball in a particular application.

In an exemplary method of use of the ball described herein, the ball may be in a first state where the plugs 16 are in the first position providing a substantially continuous outer surface and covering the holes 12. For use, a user may grasp the ball body 10 by depressing the one or more plugs 16 coupled to the body as the user inserts their fingers into the holes 12. Engaging the finger holes overcomes the force of the biasing element to move the plug(s) 16 to the second, depressed condition subjacent to the outer surface 14 of the ball body 10. The user may then throw, roll, skip, slide or otherwise manipulate the ball such that the user's fingers disengage the holes 12 and thus the ball body 10. Upon such disengagement, the biasing elements 18 cause the plugs 16 to return to the first position, thereby closing the holes and again presenting a substantially continuous, unbroken outer surface for improved motion and/or aerodynamic characteristics and performance.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to what has been particularly shown and described herein above. In addition, unless mention was made above to the contrary, it should be noted that all of the accompanying drawings are not to scale. Of note, the system components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Moreover, while certain embodiments or figures described herein may illustrate features not expressly indicated on other figures or embodiments, it is understood that the features and components of the examples disclosed herein are not necessarily exclusive of each other and may be included in a variety of different combinations or configurations without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. A variety of modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, which is limited only by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A bowling ball, comprising: a spherical body defining an outer surface and at least one hole sized to receive a finger; and a depressible platform disposed within the at least one hole, wherein the platform is movable from a first position substantially adjacent to the outer surface to a second position subjacent to the outer surface.
 2. The bowling ball of claim 1, further comprising a biasing element coupled to the platform.
 3. The bowling ball of claim 2, wherein biasing element pre-disposes the platform towards the first position.
 4. The bowling ball of claim 1, wherein when the platform is in the first position, the spherical body has a substantially continuous outer surface.
 5. The bowling ball of claim 2, wherein biasing element is a spring.
 6. The bowling ball of claim 2, wherein biasing element is at least partially constructed from a resilient polymer.
 7. The bowling ball of claim 2, wherein biasing element is at least partially constructed from a shape-memory alloy.
 8. The bowling ball of claim 1, further comprising a stopping element that limits a range of movement of the platform.
 9. The bowling ball of claim 7, wherein the stopping element includes at least one of a protrusion, a lip, and a flange that abuts the platform.
 10. A ball, comprising: a body defining a hole therein, a plug movably positioned in the hole, wherein the plug is movable from a first position substantially closing the hole to a second position allowing access to the hole; and a resilient element coupled to the plug that biases the plug towards the first position.
 11. The ball of claim 10, wherein the body is substantially spherical.
 12. The ball of claim 10, wherein the ball is a bowling ball.
 13. The ball of claim 10, wherein the hole is sized and shaped to receive at least a portion of a person's finger.
 14. The ball of claim 10, wherein the body defines a plurality of holes.
 15. The ball of claim 14, further comprising a plurality of plugs, each of the plurality of plugs being movably positioned in each of the plurality of holes, wherein each plug is movable from a first position substantially closing the respective hole to a second position allowing access to the respective hole.
 16. The ball of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of resilient elements, wherein each resilient element is coupled to one of the plurality of plugs to bias the respective plug towards the first position.
 17. A method of using a ball having one or more finger holes therein, comprising: engaging at least one of the finger holes by depressing a platform disposed within the finger hole, and disengaging the at least one finger hole, wherein disengagement results in movement of the platform.
 18. The method of claim 17, further comprising rolling the ball towards a plurality of bowling pins.
 19. The method of claim 17, wherein movement of the platform includes the platform moving into a position proximate to an exterior surface of the ball.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein movement of the platform includes the platform moving into a position that substantially seals the finger hole. 